WORLD CUP winner Clive Woodward last night left his Twickenham supporters reeling after ruling himself out of a possible return to English rugby’s corridors of power.

Woodward, the architect of England’s 2003 World Cup triumph in Australia, had been installed as clear favourite to become the Rugby Football Union’s first performance director.

But Woodward (55) has underlined his total commitment to the British Olympic Association and confirmed he would not be attending any interviews with the RFU.

A senior Twickenham source said that no appointment would be made without a candidate going through the full interview process, scotching any suggestion Woodward could be approached and directly offered the job.

Woodward revealed he had participated in “informal conversations” with “senior figures” at the RFU, but that no formal interview had taken place.